Singer D4vd Named Prime Suspect in Teen’s Dismembered Body Found in Tesla Trunk
When the stench of decay from a parked Tesla in Hollywood Hills finally overwhelmed a tow yard worker, no one imagined it would lead to the dismembered remains of a missing 15-year-old girl—and the unraveling of a rising music star’s life. On September 8, 2025, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, authorities discovered the body of Celeste Rivas, wrapped in plastic inside the frunk of a vehicle registered to 19-year-old R&B artist D4vd, whose real name is David Anthony Burke. What followed was not just a homicide investigation, but a media firestorm that shattered the illusion of a clean-cut viral sensation.
The Discovery That Shook Los Angeles
The Tesla had been abandoned for nearly five days when employees at a private tow lot noticed the smell. At first, they thought it was spoiled food. Then they opened the front trunk. Inside, partially decomposed remains were found. The LAPD was called immediately. The victim, later identified as Celeste Rivas, was last seen alive on April 5, 2024, in Lake Elsinore, California. She was 5’1" to 5’2", with wavy black hair, a small 'sh' tattoo on her right index finger, and was wearing a tube top, black leggings, a yellow bracelet, and metal stud earrings. Her family had reported her missing weeks after she vanished—but never suspected her fate was tied to a luxury electric car parked miles away.It wasn’t until September 19, 2025, when TMZ investigators contacted them, that they learned the body might be theirs. "We searched for her every day," her mother told StreetTV. "We prayed. We posted flyers. We never dreamed she was in a car belonging to a singer we’d never heard of."
Who Is D4vd—and Why Is He Under Scrutiny?
D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, rose to fame in 2023 with his hauntingly intimate track "Romantic Homicide," a song that racked up over 200 million streams and landed him on late-night TV. His aesthetic—moody lighting, whispered vocals, and lyrics steeped in emotional decay—resonated with Gen Z. But behind the scenes, investigators say his behavior grew increasingly erratic.According to multiple law enforcement sources cited by ABC News on November 18, 2025, D4vd is now considered a prime suspect. Yet, the LAPD has been contradictory. On September 12, an officer told Page Six: "No paperwork classifies him as a suspect." But by November, ABC News reported the opposite: sources confirmed he’s under active investigation. The discrepancy has fueled public confusion—and suspicion.
Authorities say D4vd was uncooperative. He refused to provide his phone records for the spring of 2024. He declined to answer questions about a late-night drive to a remote stretch of Santa Barbara County in April 2024, which GPS data suggests coincided with the estimated time of death. Investigators believe it may have taken multiple people to dismember and transport the body—a detail that raises questions about whether he acted alone.
His management insists he had "zero knowledge" of the body’s presence. But MusicTimes reported he was "not cooperative," while StreetTV claimed he "is fully cooperating." The contradiction is glaring. Even more troubling: a search of his Los Angeles residence in October 2025 turned up farm tools, prescription pills, and a laptop with encrypted files, according to MusicTimes. Authorities are still analyzing the contents.
The Fallout: A Career in Ruins
The moment the story broke, D4vd’s world collapsed. Within 72 hours, his record label suspended all promotional activity. All 14 scheduled U.S. tour dates were canceled. Sponsors like Apple Music and Spotify pulled his ads. Venues returned deposits. His Instagram, once flooded with fan art, now sits silent.At the time of the body’s discovery, he was reportedly performing in Minneapolis. By October 3, 2025, he was nowhere to be found. No interviews. No statements. Just silence. His fans, many of whom saw his music as catharsis, are now grappling with a chilling question: Was "Romantic Homicide" more than just a song?
What the Evidence Suggests
Toxicology results remain pending, delaying the official cause of death. The LAPD hasn’t ruled out the possibility the car was stolen or accessed without D4vd’s knowledge. But here’s what’s known: the Tesla was registered solely to him. No other names. No shared access logs. The vehicle was parked in a gated community near his studio—where neighbors say they hadn’t seen it in weeks before the odor emerged.Investigators are also examining timestamps from his phone and social media. On April 4, 2024, D4vd posted a cryptic Instagram story: "Some things you can’t unsee. Some people you can’t unhear." It was deleted the next morning. Celeste Rivas disappeared that same day.
There’s no forensic evidence yet linking him directly to the dismemberment. But the timeline is damning. The body was found nearly 19 months after her disappearance. The car sat idle. No one reported it missing. No one asked about it. Until the smell forced someone to look.
What’s Next?
The case is now in the hands of the LAPD’s Homicide Special Bureau. Prosecutors are reviewing whether to seek a warrant for D4vd’s arrest. A grand jury may be convened as early as January 2026. Meanwhile, Celeste Rivas’ family has filed a civil lawsuit against D4vd’s management company, alleging negligence and failure to report suspicious activity.Experts say this case could set a precedent for how the music industry handles artist behavior behind the scenes. "We’ve seen artists accused of crimes before," says Dr. Elena Ruiz, a criminologist at USC. "But rarely has a viral sensation’s art been so eerily mirrored by real-life violence. The public doesn’t just want justice for Celeste—they want to know if the industry enabled this."
Frequently Asked Questions
How did authorities link the Tesla to D4vd?
The Tesla’s VIN was traced through DMV records to David Anthony Burke, who registered the vehicle under his legal name in early 2024. No other drivers were listed on the insurance or registration. License plate cameras near his studio showed the car parked there consistently between January and August 2025, with no movement during the critical April–May 2024 window.
Why is there conflicting information about whether D4vd is a suspect?
Law enforcement agencies often avoid labeling someone a "suspect" until formal charges are prepared. Early statements were cautious to avoid legal exposure. By November 2025, internal evidence—including phone metadata, witness accounts, and the vehicle’s unexplained inactivity—led investigators to elevate his status to "prime suspect," even if paperwork hadn’t been formally updated.
What role did social media play in the investigation?
Fans noticed eerie parallels between D4vd’s lyrics and the crime scene—references to "plastic shrouds," "silent cars," and "bodies in the trunk" appeared in unreleased demos. One deleted YouTube video from March 2024, titled "Tunnel Vision," shows a car trunk being closed with a gloved hand. Forensics is analyzing whether it was filmed near the Tesla’s location.
Could someone else have used D4vd’s car without his knowledge?
It’s possible, but unlikely. The Tesla’s app requires biometric authentication to unlock the frunk. Only D4vd’s fingerprint and voiceprint were registered. No signs of tampering were found on the vehicle’s system logs. Investigators say the car’s GPS shows no unauthorized access during the critical period.
What’s the status of Celeste Rivas’ family now?
The family has moved out of Lake Elsinore and is receiving counseling. They’ve established a memorial fund in Celeste’s name to support missing teens in Southern California. They say they don’t want revenge—they want truth. "We just want to know why," her father said in a recent press statement. "And who else knew what happened."
Will D4vd face criminal charges?
Prosecutors are still reviewing evidence, including forensic analysis of the body, digital records, and witness testimony. If toxicology reveals foul play and the LAPD confirms D4vd’s involvement in the disposal, charges could include murder, obstruction, and evidence tampering. A decision is expected by late January 2026.
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